Vegetation response to exceptional global warmth during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2

authored by

Ulrich Heimhofer, Nina Wucherpfennig, Thierry Adatte, Stefan Schouten, Elke Schneebeli-Hermann, Silvia Gardin, Gerta Keller, Sarah Kentsch, Ariane Kujau

Abstract

The Cenomanian–Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE2; ~94.5 million years ago) represents an episode of global-scale marine anoxia and biotic turnover, which corresponds to one of the warmest time intervals in the Phanerozoic. Despite its global significance, information on continental ecosystem response to this greenhouse episode is lacking. Here we present a terrestrial palynological record combined with marine-derived temperature data (TEX₈₆) across an expanded OAE2 section from the Southern Provençal Basin, France. Despite high TEX₈₆-derived temperature estimates reaching up to 38 °C, the continental hinterland did support a diverse vegetation, adapted to persist under elevated temperatures. A transient phase of climatic instability and cooling during OAE2 known as Plenus Cold Event (PCE) is marked by the proliferation of open, savanna-type vegetation rich in angiosperms at the expanse of conifer-dominated forest ecosystems. A rise in early representatives of Normapolles-type pollen during the PCE marks the initial radiation of this important angiosperm group.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Geology
Geology Section
Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palynology

External Organisation(s)

University of Lausanne (UNIL)
Utrecht University
Universität Zürich (UZH)
Universite Paris 6
Princeton University
Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ)

Type

Article

Journal

Nature Communications

Volume

9

ISSN

2041-1723

Publication date

20.09.2018

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Chemistry, General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology, General Physics and Astronomy

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 14 - Life Below Water, SDG 15 - Life on Land

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06319-6 (Access: Open)